Elite 2026 ATH Messiah Mickens commits to Penn State

Elite 2026 athlete Messiah Mickens of Camp Hill (PA) Trinity High announced his commitment to Penn State Saturday evening.

The 5-foot-10, 195 pounder chose the Nittany Lions over Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan.

“How they treat me and family when we come up,” Mickens said. “Also my position coach, I love what he does with his running backs and how he uses them. Also, just being in my hometown, my family can make most of all the games and play for your state when it’s big time football. Just feels like home everytime I go and I’ve been around a lot of colleges. My heart is just in state college.”

His relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a role in his decision as well.

“Coach Seider,” Mickens said. “He has a plan for me to be the best back in the country when it’s my time. Also he always keeps in contact with me.”

The Keystone State running back is the first commit in the Nittany Lions’ 2026 class.